The Drive Home III: Homecoming

The Drive Home III –the little classic-car caravan that could – reached Detroit on Friday after more than 2,484 miles through unseasonably cold weather in the south. Beginning in Boca Raton, Florida, the annual mid-winter tour zig-zagged across the southeast before driving into the Cobo Center for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

The trip was not without incident, or accident. Although a number of the mechanical maladies were typical of cars pulled from collection display and driven – with failures from voltage regulators, heater cores and batteries – by-and-large the cars all worked well, even outperforming some of the modern support vehicles on the tour.

Ironically, the only accident damage to the cars occurred on the way to the final drive down Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue. While parked at the crew hotel, the LeMay-America’s Car Museum 1972 Chevrolet El Camino was sideswiped by a hotel shuttle bus which left a deep gouge in the driver’s front fender, peeling off the wheelwell molding and breaking the marker light lens and bezel. It’s been the only incident in the three years of the event.

Investigating the debris field. Good thing we had plenty of insurance folks along.

Accustomed to adversity, the team swung into action and arranged for a body shop tech from Lincoln of Troy at the ready with an approximate color-match paint, which was brushed-on at the press conference before the final drive down Woodward Avenue. This willingness to help from both individuals and institutions has always been one of the most gratifying aspects of the Drive Home trips.

All six cars, including the Hellcat-powered 1955 Chrysler C-300 resto-mod, lined up for the drive to Cobo. Strangely, the pronounced driveline knock we’d experienced with the 300 earlier in the trip had all but abated. Limited by weather, the Triumph Thruxton Ace motorcycle accrued a bit over 1,000 miles on the trip and was trailered to the Cobo Center.

Photo by Derek Klein.

As if on cue, moderate snow began to fall just prior to takeoff. The inclement weather minimized participation from fellow classic cars invited to show up to join the procession, but it was great to meet a number of Hemmings readers who braved the roads for coffee and bagels at the launch. Despite fatalistic predictions of unprecedented weather along the nine-state route, the last 25 miles of the Drive Home were the only time the vintage cars had seen snow or road salt. X-Ice tires supplied by event-sponsor Michelin provided reassuring traction.

The Michigan State Troopers were on hand again this year to provide a police escort of the cars to the NAIAS. We always enjoy talking with the officers and engaging in mock arrests of a team member that might have gotten a little loose on the 10-day adventure. This year’s candidate was filmmaker Derek Klein, who pushed the envelope a bit to get some great shots along the journey.

Filmmaker Derek Klein does some fast-talking as David Madeira considers having him taken into custody.

Pulling into Cobo, we traversed the last quarter-mile of our trek through the massive show floor of the NAIAS, giving us a sneak peek at the incredible digital displays and stands still being readied for the January 20th public opening. Teamster workers stop to admire my lumpy-idling Camaro SS as it slowly cruised by, dripping slush on the freshly-laid show floor carpeting. It’s striking that in a room bristling with futuristic technological innovation, it’s this old piece of Detroit iron that can still steal the show.

Which is one reason we brought the cars to the Motor City, and will continue to do so for many years – to remind the automakers of their proud heritage, and America’s love affair with the automobile.

Column chicanery inside Cobo Center.

Sometimes the best way to elicit a reaction is by inviting inquiry. The Drive Home display inside the Congress Street entrance of the NAIAS will once again present the cars dirty from the road. Show attendees will be compelled to find their own answers as to why they are covered in grime. Were they DRIVEN here? CAN they be driven here? The Drive Home is a statement about enjoying your car and life to the fullest; just another display of shiny trailer queens would be ineffectual.

The team members had one last lunch together before the group – which is really extended family now– began to split up and head back home or to other commitments. Dave Hord of Classic Car Adventures –who ran our trouble truck and acted as a general concierge on the trip – remarked on the exceptional camaraderie he witnessed with the Drive Home crew. We agreed that having a mission to deliver the cars to Detroit coalesced the group’s unique skills and tamped-down individual egos.

Either way, it’s an incredible experience to be a part of, and proves that there are some adventures that can still only be found on the open road. It’s a freedom that we take for granted, and one available to us all – at least for now.

SUGGESTED READING

Brunosays:

January 15, 2018 9:48 am

I have a classic car and it never fails to amaze, and annoy, me how close other drivers come to my vehicle whether driving it or when it’s on display. Other pet peeves are pedestrians who walk right up close to the car with jewelry, shopping bags, backpacks, belt buckles, etc. which could scratch the paint and bicyclists who have to ride right up to the car and lean their bikes close to the car while they look inside it. It’s old, in good shape and hard and expensive to repair if you even put a scratch on. Accidents happen so how about a little respect, and distance, for the old classic cars.

I love reading stories like this about old cars on long trips. I’d love to make one in my car, it’s in good mechanical shape but things happen. One of the first things I did with my car was to replace the points with an electronic ignition system to make it more reliable. Of course, it failed on a Sunday when I was in Manhattan at an event and I had to get flatbedded home.

James Westsays:

January 15, 2018 10:43 am

I enjoyed reading each day’s travel events. I have 1960’s classic cars that have been on several 1,000 plus mile road trips and have had little to know problems. How would someone be considered to participate in The Drive Home event?

Joesays:

January 15, 2018 10:46 am

Congratulations on making it to Detroit safely especially this time of the year. I give you folks a lot of credit, that would only be a dream for me to do something like that. At least the El Camino was parked when the damage occurred and it sounded like it was minimal, but still a pain I know.

Bob Idesays:

January 15, 2018 12:10 pm

Congratulations to the entire crew for making the trip and challenges the cold weather offered. I would have loved to have been on that trip and have ben inspiried to get my 31 year old Lincoln Continetal out (once the snows gone and it warmer out).

Cars like these should be driven and enjoyed for what they are and offered at the time they were sold. Sure, modern cars have better technologies, better handling, higher speeds, but sometimes it’s just great to get out on lesser travelled roads and appreciate the experience and friendship great old cars offer.

Looking forward to more stories like this and early spring for my own adventures. I might try the same trip but starting in Detroit and heading backwards.

Sumdudeonlinesays:

January 16, 2018 11:31 am

Maestro1says:

January 15, 2018 1:00 pm

Look at the last photo. Look how much character and design there is in the classics and the piece of crap hard boiled egg computer SUV in front of the building. Bless all of you for doing the Drive. Very well done.

JON DOUGHsays:

January 15, 2018 1:35 pm

Could someone in Michigan please tell me why Michigan State Police still put that dumb looking STOP plexiglass thing on the hood of their other wise cool looking Police cars? I know it was originally for a manouver called a “side stop” but I read that they don’t do that anymore. Tradition? No one brought it up ever that it’s obsolete? Just curious.

ian jaysays:

January 15, 2018 2:04 pm

So impressed with the idea of riding a motorcycle along with the rest of the vehicles. Trying to decide what to drive to the show this weekend from Toronto. Given what happened to the trucks (and I will include the El Camino), maybe I’ll leave my beloved ’90 Ranger behind (three on a match sort of thing). Maybe the Volt will make the cut.

Matt Cuddysays:

January 15, 2018 6:20 pm

Ron Melville, New Zesays:

January 15, 2018 6:30 pm

A hearty congratulations from The Cadillac LaSalle Cub of New Zealand on all vehicles safely reaching Detroit. And well done to the Cadillac team, a window problem is something that could happen on any adventure! Our club annually travels across country to attend our own AGM/ NZ Cadillac Nationals and we too enjoy the camaraderie that goes with the journey, the laughs, the cafe stops and the occasional issue that even Cadillacs are not immune too! Looking forward to ‘The Drive Home IV – 2019’ and thanks to the organisers for including a Caddy in this years event. Regards – Ron Melville, Editor FINZ Magazine – The Cadillac LaSalle Club of New Zealand

Jon Doughsays:

January 16, 2018 11:15 am

This was a special event! Fantastic crew… fantastic cars.. fantastic stops along the route. Great coverage from full time media to guest media. Fun to share the trip with readers as well as interested people along the way! So much to promote the heritage and continuing growth of new followers to carry the torch of the AAT and RPM!! Be safe!!

Henrisays:

January 17, 2018 4:34 pm

Decades ago, as a teenage ’56 Chevy driver in suburban Detroit, I could never have guessed the role that the modern Michigan State Police play in this annual event. Back in the day their big-blue-goose was always behind me (or so it seemed). MSP is a great outfit (and I’m still wary of them).